Method, game piece and target structure for magnetic toss gaming

ABSTRACT

A method and system for challenging and developing eye-hand neuromuscular coordination are provided. In one version, one or more magnetically charged game pieces and a target structure are provided. The target structure may be preferably alternatively inclined and present a magnetically attractive target surface. Positionable legs of the target structure may be detachably and/or slidably coupled with the target surface, whereby the legs are deployed and disposed between the target surface and a ground surface. Optionally, one or more legs may be decoupled from the deployed position and stored in a second storage position, while detachably coupled to a front plate of the target structure in either position. A game piece aperture enables the game piece to be more easily tossed toward and adhere to a magnetically attractive surface. The apertures further allow the game pieces to overlay each other when adhered to the target surface.

CONTINUATION-IN-PART

The present US Nonprovisional patent application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/341,975 filed on Dec. 31, 2011 and titled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC TOSS GAMING by inventor Wayne Morgan, the same inventor of this US Nonprovisional patent application. The present US Nonprovisional patent application further claims benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/341,975 for all purposes, and incorporates the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/341,975 into the present US Nonprovisional patent application.

By the status of being a Continuation-in-Part Nonprovisional patent application of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/341,975, the present US Nonprovisional patent application claims benefit of the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/428,951 for all purposes, and incorporates the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/428,951 filed on Dec. 31, 2010 by inventor Wayne Morgan, the same inventor of this US Nonprovisional patent application, and titled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC TOSS GAMING into the present US Nonprovisional patent application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to objects that may be tossed by hand and structures that receive adhering tossed objects. The present invention further relates to objects that temporarily adhere to a surface of a structure when thrown by hand against the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of games have been developed which involve the use of game pieces that temporarily adhere to a target surface. The prior art includes structures having surfaces to which magnetically charged game pieces removably adhere.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,605 to Davey discloses a magnetic toss game that simulates an established sports game. Davey's game provides a plurality flat magnetic disks that are shaped to evoke or signify a hockey puck, soccer ball, football, basketball, or golf ball, and the like. Each type of game piece has a corresponding magnetic target that is designed to evoke or signify a hockey net, soccer goal net, football goal post, basketball net, golf green with hole, and the like. The magnetic target of Davey may be mounted on a refrigerator, or other flat metallic surface, and is preferably vertically oriented. The magnetic target mounted on the flat metallic surface is intended to form a game surface capable of adhering magnetic interaction with the thrown magnetic game pieces. The game pieces are each flat, continuous sheets that too often bounce off of the game surface and fail to adhere to the game surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,587 to O'Grady discloses a Magnetic Game and Method which involves a rigid backed game board which itself is magnetized to attract the projectiles thrown at the game board. U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,509 to Bishop discloses a Molded Bingo Chip with Magnetic Structure Secured Therein. The chip of Bishop is a bingo marker containing a preformed slot into which is placed a structure of magnetic material. An additional sealing layer of material is placed and secured over the magnetic material, thus sealing the magnetic structure within the bingo marker. U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,597 to Smith et al. discloses a ferromagnetic device for attracting and picking up circular or disc-like marker means which comprise an enmeshed magnetically chargeable metallic screen. U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,207 to Jones and U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,684 to Genin each separately disclose magnetized game boards designed to attract magnetic game pieces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,841 to Klick discloses a game board comprised of a metallic wire screen embedded between two layers of flexible plastic. U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,325 to Sheem discloses a magnetic dart game simulating ball games such as football, baseball and basketball.

However, none of the prior art magnetic toss game systems fail to optimally provide a game piece or a target structure that are optimally adapted to enable successful adhesion of the game pieces to a surface of the target structure. There is therefore a long-felt need to provide an improved game piece, an improved target structure, method and system that supports more accurate and consistent placement of magnetically charged game pieces by hand tossing towards a surface of a target structure. There is also a long-felt need to provide an improved target structure that is more easily deployable, transportable and storable than prior art target structures of magnetic game piece tossing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the present invention that are made obvious in light of this disclosure, wherein a method, system, target structure and a game piece are provided. In first preferred embodiment of the invented structure, a frame includes a face panel having a magnetically engaging face target surface and a face back surface, wherein an element of the frame extends below the face panel and is adapted to rest upon a ground surface. An optional swing hinge assembly may be rotatably coupled to the face panel and may be adapted to be rotatably positioned and disposed between the face back surface and the ground surface. One or more optional linkages may additionally couple the swing hinge assembly with the face panel, wherein each linkage is adapted to limit the rotational freedom of the swing hinge assembly with respect to the face back surface. The swing hinge assembly may optionally include clipping features that detachably couple the swing hinge assembly with the frame.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a target structure includes a front sheet that provides a magnetically engaging target surface and a back surface. A pair of substantively parallel elongate tube receivers are rotatably coupled to the back surface. The elongate tube receivers preferably do not extend below a bottom edge of the front sheet. An optional tubular element provides a pair of edge tube receivers positioned substantively parallel and in further substantive parallelism with the pair of elongate tube receivers. An optional set of two or four extension tubes are provided wherein each extension tube is adapted to removably couple with either elongate tube receiver or either edge tube receivers. Each of the four extension tubes may be disposed between a ground surface and one of either elongate tube receiver or either edge tube receivers, whereby the front plate may be raised and positioned above the ground surface by the combination of (a.) two extension tubes separately coupled with one of the elongate tube receivers; and (b.) two extension tubes separately coupled with one of the edge tube receivers.

According to an additional optional aspect of the method of the present invention (hereinafter, “invented method”), the elongate tube receivers may be coupled by a tube cross brace. According to a still other optional aspect of the invented method, each of a pair of linkages may couple the elongate tube receivers with the front plate, wherein each linkage is adapted to limit the rotational freedom of at least one elongate tube receiver with respect to the front plate.

According to another additional optional aspect of the invented method, one or more cross braces may be attached to the front sheet and be adapted to provide stiffness to the front sheet.

According to an even additional optional aspect of the invented method, a pair of brackets may be attached to the front sheet to which the extension tubes may be detachably coupled for storage and transport. Alternatively or additionally, one or more extension tubes may be adapted to be slidably positioned within an elongate tube receiver or an edge tube receiver and stored in a seated position, and alternately deployed by sliding the instant extension tube substantively out from a tube receiver for placement against the ground surface.

An exemplary game piece comprises a magnetic game piece having a body material that is shaped to form at least one aperture that is internal to the game piece. The aperture may be fully or partially encompassed by the body material, and is preferably substantively central to the shape of the game piece. It is understood that one or more game pieces may be shaped to provide more than one aperture.

The invented game piece preferably provides an aperture that (a.) reduces the weight of the instant game piece, (b.) affects the summed air resistance experienced by the game piece as the game piece flies through the air, and (c.) allows the human player to develop hand throwing techniques to cause the game piece to rotate about the aperture as the game piece is thrown from the player's hand and to a target surface. The aperture of the invented game piece further enables a plurality of game pieces to overlay each other when adhered to the target surface. More particularly, the method of the present invention enables an adherence of a first game piece on a target surface, wherein a portion of the target surface is encompassed by an aperture of the first game piece and the encompassed portion of the target surface remains exposed and available for adherence with the body of material of a second game piece.

The magnetic game piece is preferably flexible and allows, when the game piece is tossed toward a surface having a magnetic charge that is opposite and attractive to a magnetic charge of the game piece, a leading portion of the game piece that strikes the surface to adhere to the surface while a trailing portion of the same game piece is still in motion toward the surface. The optional flexibility of the game piece thus allows the game piece, in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, to become magnetically coupled with the magnetically attractive surface upon the occurrence of physical contact between the leading portion and the surface and while the trailing portion is still travelling toward, but has not yet struck, the surface. The coupling of the leading portion might, in certain instances, not by itself be sufficient to magnetically adhere the game piece to the surface, but might generate sufficient magnetic force to enable the trailing portion to come into contact with surface and thereupon cause simultaneous magnetic attraction between the surface and both (a.) the leading portion and (b.) the trailing portion sufficient to cause the entire game piece to adhere to the surface.

One or more game pieces may optionally be color-coded and/or bear distinctive logos or images on at least one surface of the game piece body material. The body material may comprise a flat, flexible rim having an inner radius that substantively forms or describes the aperture. The aperture may alternatively be shaped as a circle, an ellipse, a quadrilateral, a polygon, a logo, or other shape.

The body material of one or more game pieces may provide a first magnetic surface and a second surface, wherein the first magnetic surface carries a higher magnetic charge than the second surface, wherein preferably the first magnetic surface carries a magnetic charge density per surface area that is at least an order of magnitude higher than the magnetic charge density of the second surface.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Such incorporations include U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,605 (inventor: Davey, III; issued on Sep. 12, 2000) titled “Magnetic toss game”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,841 (inventor: Klick, A.; issued on Apr. 9, 1991) titled “Means and method of a game board for receiving magnetic pieces”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,325 (Inventor: Sheem, S.: issued on Jul. 21, 1987) titled “Game toy”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,509 (inventor: Bishop, K.; issued on Jun. 30, 1987) titled “Molded bingo chip with magnetic structure secured therein”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,587 (inventor: O'Grady, G.; issued on Dec. 15, 1981) titled “Magnetic game and method”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,597 (inventors: Smith, et al.; issued on Oct. 30, 1979) titled “Magnetic pick-up device and marker”; U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,207 (inventor: Jones, W.; issued on Apr. 8, 1975) titled “Board game apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,684 (inventor: Genin et. al; issued on Feb. 25, 1964) titled “MAGNETIZED GAME BOARD CONFIGURATIONS”.

The publications discussed or mentioned herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided herein may differ from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These, and further features of various aspects of the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary first game piece being held by a human game player's hand;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a plurality of game pieces of FIG. 1 that have landed on, and are magnetically adhered to, a target surface;

FIG. 3 is a compiled perspective view of the first game piece of FIG. 1 depicted at several separate moments as the first game piece travels toward the target surface of FIG. 2 and after the first game piece has been tossed by a human player;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first game piece of FIG. 1 that is in the process of deflecting and magnetically adhering to the target surface of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view an alternate game piece, or magnetic disk, and illustrates an inner radius of a disk material thereof that defines an alternate aperture and a second radius of the disk material that defines an outer edge of the alternate game piece;

FIG. 6 is a cut-away side view of the alternate game piece of FIG. 5 that illustrates an outer layer, and adhesive and a magnetic layer;

FIG. 7 is a top view a second alternate game piece having a non-circular aperture and a non-circular outer edge;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a target that may be affixed to the target surface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate target having a planar surface and a pair of legs;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternate target of FIG. 9 in an inclined position;

FIG. 11 is a back view of the alternate target of FIG. 9 and showing an optional pair of apertures and an optional pair of spring assemblies;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away side view detail of the alternate target of FIG. 9 showing an optional first clip engaging with a first leg;

FIG. 13 is back perspective view of a first alternate target structure;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the first alternate target structure of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the first alternate target structure of FIG. 13 in a deployed position;

FIG. 16 is a back view of the first alternate target structure of FIG. 13 in a deployed position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective detail view of the first alternate target structure of FIG. 13 in a deployed position;

FIG. 18 is top perspective view of the first alternate target structure of FIG. 13 in a deployed position;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the second alternate target structure of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a second alternate target structure of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the second alternate target structure of FIG. 19 in a deployed position;

FIG. 21 is a detail view of an elongate tube receiver assembly of the second alternate target structure of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a detailed side view of the first side linkage assembly of FIGS. 19, 20 and 21; and

FIG. 23 is a detailed side view of the second side linkage assembly of FIGS. 19 and 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary first game piece 2 being held by a human game player's hand. The first game piece includes a flexible, flat body 4 (hereinafter “body” 4) that is defined by an inner radius R1 and an outer radius R2. In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, the inner radius R1 is preferably dimensioned with a range from two inches to one foot, and the outer radius R2 is preferably dimensioned to be at least 0.25 inch greater than the inner radius and within a range of from five inches to one foot.

The body 4 may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material such as, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation of Boiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magnetically charged material known in the art.

The body 4 may be formed of a homogenous magnetically charged material 4A, or alternatively by combination of a layer of magnetic material 4A that is adhered to an outer layer 4B, wherein the outer layer is composed of a less magnetically charged material. The layer of magnetic material 4A of the body 4 preferably holds at least ten times the magnetic charge per unit volume as the outer layer 4B.

An internal aperture A of the first game piece is formed and defined by the inner radius R1 of the body. A planar area of the aperture A is defined within an X-Y plane by a surface area encompassed by the inner radius R1, wherein the planar area of the aperture A is preferably greater in magnitude than a planar body surface area of the body 4, whereby the body planar surface area of the body 4 is defined also within the X-Y plane and extends from the inner radius R1 of the body 4 and to the outer radius R2 of the body 4. More particularly, the surface area of the body 4 is defined as the area extending between the inner radius R1 and the outer radius R2 when the body is flattened out and in a planar orientation along the X-Y plane, as shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. The surface area of the aperture A is preferably greater than twice the magnitude of the X-Y planar surface area of the body 4.

The planar body surface area of the body 4 preferably has a surface area less than half in magnitude of planar surface area of the aperture A; and the body 4 preferably weighs less than four ounces to improve ease of throwing and handling by the game player.

The outer radius R2 may be dimensioned within the range of from 0.5 inch to one foot and more preferably is dimensioned in the range from two inches to ten inches. The inner radius R1 may be dimensioned within the range from 0.25 inch shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2 to six inches shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2. The inner radius R1 is more preferably dimensioned within the range from 0.5 inch shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2 to three inches shorter than the dimension of the outer radius R2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a front view of a plurality of first game pieces 2 of FIG. 1 that are landed on, and magnetically adhered to, a target surface 6. The target surface 6 may be or comprise a magnetically attractive surface, such as a metal pan or sheet, a magnetically attractive door of a refrigerator, or other suitable magnetically charged or attractive material, surfaces and objects known in the art. The inclusion of the apertures A in the shape of the first game pieces 2 improve the capacity of the first game pieces 2 to (a.) partly overlay neighboring game pieces 2 and (b.) more often adhere to the target surface 6 when tossed by the game player. The apertures A allow the target surface 6 to magnetically hold the plurality of first game pieces 2 while exposing more surface area of the target surface 6 to accept further adherence by additional first game pieces.

The target surface 6 is preferably shaped to present both (a.) a height dimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outer radius R2 to three feet or greater and (b.) a width dimension orthogonal to the target surface height, wherein the target surface width is dimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outer radius R2 to two feet or greater.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a compiled perspective view of the first game piece 2 of FIG. 1 depicted at several separate moments as the first game piece 2 travels toward the target surface 6 of FIG. 2 and after the first game piece 2 has been tossed by a game player. The aperture A allows the first game piece 2 to pass through the air and towards the target surface 6 with reduced air or wind resistance than if the first game piece 2 were a solid sheet of material 4 extending for the full area defined by the second radius R2. The shape of the first game piece 2 further affects any spinning of the first game piece 2 resulting from the tossing of the first game piece 2 by the human game player as the first game piece 2 passes toward the target surface 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first game piece 2 of FIG. 1 that is in the process of deflecting while simultaneously magnetically adhering to the target surface 6 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The inclusion of the aperture A in the shape of the first game piece 2 affects the dynamic shape and behavior of the first game piece 2 (a.) as the first game piece 2 strikes the target surface 6, and (b.) as the flexible body 4 of the first game piece 2 deflects as a consequence of colliding with the target surface 6. The deflection of the first game piece 2 experienced during collision of the body 4 with the target surface 6 improves the resultant probability that the first game piece 2 will adhere to the target surface 6.

The magnetic game piece 2 is preferably flexible and allows, when the game piece 2 is tossed toward the target surface 6 having a magnetic charge that is opposite and attractive to a magnetic charge of the game piece 2, a leading portion of the game piece 2 that strikes the target surface 6 to adhere to the target surface 6 while a trailing portion of the game piece 2 is still in motion toward the target surface 6. The optional flexibility of the game piece 2 thus allows the game piece 2, in certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, to become magnetically coupled with the target surface 6 upon the occurrence of physical contact between the leading portion and the target surface 6 and while the trailing portion is still travelling toward, but has not yet struck, the target surface 6. The coupling of the leading portion might, in certain instances, not by itself be sufficient to magnetically adhere the game piece 2 to the target surface 6, but might generate sufficient magnetic force to enable the trailing portion to come into contact with target surface 6 and thereupon cause simultaneous magnetic attraction between the target surface 6 and both (a.) the leading portion and (b.) the trailing portion sufficient to cause the entire game piece 2 to adhere to the target surface 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a top view an alternate game piece 8, or magnetized disk 8, and illustrates an inner radius R3 of a flexible magnetized material 10 (hereinafter “disk” 10) that defines an alternate aperture B and a outer radius R4 of the disk 10 that defines an inner edge E1 of the disk 10. A flat rim surface 11 of the disk 10 of the may be positioned along a two-dimensional X-Y plane, wherein the flat rim surface 11 extends between the substantively circular inner edge E1 and a substantively circular outer edge E2 of the magnetic disk. A preferably uniform thickness T of the disk 10 extends preferably less than two inches along a Z-axis that is orthogonal to the X-Y plane when the flat rim 11 is aligned in parallel with the X-Y axis.

The disk 10 may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material such as, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation of Boiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magnetically charged material known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, one or more bodies 4 or disks 10 of the plurality of game pieces 2, 8 may present an image, such as a textual image 11A that displays text, a corporate logo 11B, a sports team logo 11C, or other visually discernible elements. One or more images 11A-11C may present one or more visible colors, such as red, blue, yellow, green, purple, orange, or a mixture or combination of colors found within the light spectrum visible to the human eye.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a cut-away side view of the magnetized disk 10 of FIG. 5 that illustrates the outer layer 10A, an optional adhesive 10B and a magnetic layer 10C. The optional adhesive 10B may be included to bind the outer layer 10A to the magnetic layer 10B. In certain versions of the magnetic disk 10, the outer layer 10A may bind with the magnetic layer 10C as affected by a binding process and/or due to inner the inherent qualities of the outer layer 10A and/or the inner layer 10C, wherein an adhesive 10B is not comprised within the alternative magnetic disk 10. The magnetic disk 10 preferably weighs less than four ounces to improve ease of throwing and handling by the game player.

The magnetic layer 10C preferably has more than twice the magnetic charge density than the outer layer 10A, and more preferably more than twenty times the magnetic charge density per unit volume than the outer layer 10A. The combined thickness T of the inner layer 10A, adhesive 10B and outer layer 10C is preferably less than two inches and more preferably in the range of from 0.1 inch to 0.25 inch.

The first game piece 2 of FIG. 1 may alternatively or additionally comprise the magnetic layer 10C, the outer layer 10A, and/or the adhesive 10B as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a top view a second alternate game piece 14 having a second alternate body 14A comprising magnetically charged material and a non-circular aperture 14B. The second alternate body 14A includes a non-circular inner edge E3 and extends from the non-circular inner edge E3 to a non-circular outer edge E4. The non-circular aperture 14B is formed by the non-circular inner edge E3 of the second alternate body 14A.

The second alternate body 14A of FIG. 7 may alternatively or additionally be or comprise the magnetic layer 10C, the outer layer 10A, and/or the adhesive 10B as shown by FIG. 6. Alternatively or additionally, the second alternate body 14A may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material, such as, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation of Boiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magnetically charged material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a front view of a target 16 that may be affixed to the target surface 6. The target surface 6 may be comprised within the area defined by the inner radius R1 of the first game piece 2, and alternately or additionally a target image 18 of the target may be small enough to be fully encompassed within the area defined by the inner radius R1 of the first game piece 2. The target 16 may optionally be magnetically charged and removably affixed to a magnetically attractive surface, such as the target surface 6 of FIG. 2. Alternatively or additionally, the target 16 may be comprised of the magnetic layer 100, the outer layer 100, and/or the adhesive 100 as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the target image 18 is presented upon the outer layer 10A. The target 16 may be or comprise a flexible magnetic sheet material such as, but not limited to, the 30 mil thick car magnetic sheeting as marketed by LogoMagnet.com, a division of Turner Graphics Corporation of Boiling Springs, S.C.; MessageMag™ flexible magnetic sheeting marketed by Magnum Magnetics of Marietta, Ohio; and/or other suitable flexible magnetically charged material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate target 20 having a planar surface 22 and a pair of legs 24 & 26. The planar surface 22 is magnetically charged to attract the game pieces 2 & 8 and forms a mutually orthogonal height H1 and width W. The planar surface 22 is preferably shaped to present both (a.) a height H1 dimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outer radius R2 or R4 to three feet or greater and (b.) a width dimension W, wherein the target surface width W is dimensioned within the range of from two times the game piece outer radius R2 or R4 to two feet or greater. The first leg 24 and the second leg 26 are preferably detachably coupled with the planar surface 22. When coupled with the planar surface 22, the first leg 24 and the second leg 26 each extend from the planar 22 for a leg height H2, wherein leg height H2 is preferable dimensioned in a range of from one foot to three feet.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternate target 20 in a preferred inclined position for game play, wherein the alternate target 20 is simultaneously standing on a floor 28 and leaning against a wall 30. In the game play position, a highest point of the planar surface 22, i.e., a point of the planar surface 22 most distal from the floor 28, may be positioned at a resting height Hr above the floor 28 while separate contact points between each leg 24 & 26 and the floor 28 is effected at a maximum displacement D from the wall 30. In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the present invention, the preferred resting height Hr of the planar surface 22 may be approximately four feet and four inches plus or minus six inches, and the maximum displacement D of the legs from the wall 30 may be approximately one foot plus or minus six inches.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a back view of the alternate target 20 wherein an optional pair of apertures are available for use in hanging the alternate target 20 from one or more features (not shown) of an external object, e.g., hooks (not shown) attached to the wall 30. The first aperture 32 and the second aperture 34 preferably extend fully through the planar surface 22 and are preferably symmetrically located in reference to a height axis Ah, wherein the height axis Ah bisects the planar surface 22. A first spring assembly 36 detachably couples the first leg 24 to the planar surface 22 by applying compressive forces against the first leg 24 in at least two directions that are each approximately orthogonal to the height axis Ah, wherein at least one compressive force is provided by a spring (not shown). A second spring assembly 38 detachably couples the second leg 26 to the planar surface 22 by applying compressive forces against the second leg 26 in at least two directions that are each approximately orthogonal to the height axis Ah, wherein at least one compressive force is provided by a spring (not shown).

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a cut-away side view detail of an optional first clip 40 of the planar surface 22 inserted into a first channel 42 of the first leg 24. A first tongue 44 of the first clip 40 extends into the first channel 42 while not necessarily filling the entire first channel 42, whereby the first clip 40 supports the detachable coupling of the first leg 24 with the planar surface 22. It is understood that the second leg 26 may be additionally detachably coupled with the planar surface 22 by an additional optional clip.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is back perspective view of a first alternate target structure 46. A frame 48 includes a face panel 50 having a magnetically engaging face target surface 50A and a face panel back surface 50B as indicated in FIG. 14. A lower element 48A of the frame 48 extends below a lower edge 50C the face panel 50 and is adapted to rest upon a ground surface 52 along lower length 48B of the lower element 48A. A swing hinge assembly 54 is rotatably coupled to the face panel 50 and is rotatably positioned and disposed between the face panel back surface 50B and the ground surface 52. One or more optional linkages 56A & 56B may additionally couple the swing hinge assembly 54 with the face panel 50, wherein each linkage 56A & 56B is adapted to limit the rotational freedom of the swing hinge assembly 54 with respect to the face panel back surface 50B. The swing hinge assembly 54 may optionally include clips 54A & 54B that detachably couple the swing hinge assembly 54 with the frame 48.

One or more elements 48-56 of the first alternate target structure 46 may comprise aluminum, steel, rigid plastic, and/or other suitable rigid materials known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the first alternate target structure 46. The magnetically engaging face target surface 50A is available to receive game pieces 2 & 10. Each linkage 56A & 56B limits the rotational movement of the swing hinge assembly 54 relative to the frame 48.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 15, FIG. 15 is a side view of the first alternate target structure 46 in a deployed position, wherein the magnetically engaging face target surface 50A is available to receive game pieces 2 & 10, and the first linkage 56A and the second linkage 56B limits the rotational movement of the swing hinge assembly 54 relative to the frame 48.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 16, FIG. 16 is a back view of the first alternate target structure 46 in a deployed position. The U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 is rotatably coupled to the face panel 50 by a first attachment arm 54C and a second attachment arm 54D. Each attachment arm respectively extends into the frame 48 at a respective hinge attachment aperture 48C & 48D, whereby a rotatable coupling between the U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 and the frame 48 is formed.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 17, FIG. 17 is a perspective detail view of the first alternate target structure 46 in a deployed position, wherein the second linkage 56B is shown to include a linkage shaft 56B.1 that is attached by a first rotatable linkage feature 56B.2 to the frame 48. The linkage shaft 56B.1 extends through a cannulated swivel block 56B.3, whereby a channel of the cannulated swivel block 56B.3 receives the linkage shaft 56B.1 and is oversized to a allow the linkage shaft 56B.1 rotatably adjust position relative to the frame 48. The cannulated swivel block 56B.3 is rotatably attached to the U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 and rotates relative to the U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 to enable the linkage shaft 56B.1 to shift orientation relative to the frame 48.

An end cap 56B.4 is attached to the linkage shaft 56B.1 distally from the rotatable attachment feature 56B.2 and is oversized relative to the channel of the cannulated swivel block 56B.3 to maintain the linkage shaft 56B.1 in slidable coupling with the cannulated swivel block 56B.3

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 18, FIG. 18 is a top view of the first alternate target structure of 46 in a deployed position. The U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 includes the pair of linkages 56A & 56B that each separately and rotatably couple the linkage shafts 56A.1 and 56B.1 to both the U-shaped swing hinge assembly 54 and the frame 48.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 19, FIG. 19 is back perspective view of a second alternate target structure 58 that includes a front sheet 60 comprising a magnetically engaging target surface 60A and a back surface 60B as indicated in FIG. 21. A pair of substantively parallel elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B are rotatably coupled a tubular element 64. The elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B preferably do not extend below a bottom edge 60C of the front sheet 60. The tubular element 64 extends about the front sheet 60 and provides a pair of edge tube receivers 66A & 66B positioned substantively in parallel and in further substantive parallelism with the pair of elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B.

An optional set of two or four extension tubes 68A-68D are provided wherein each optional extension tube 68A-68D is preferably adapted to removably couple with either elongate tube receiver 62A & 62B or either edge tube receivers 66A & 66B, whereby each extension tube 68A-68B is functionally interchangeable. Each of the four optional extension tubes 68A-68D may be disposed between the ground surface 52 and one of (a.) either elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B or (b.) either edge tube receivers 66A & 66B.

It is clearly disclosed in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 that the front plate 60 may be raised and positioned above the ground surface 52 by the combination of (a.) two extension tubes 68A-68D separately coupled with one of the elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B; and (b.) two extension tubes 68A-68D separately coupled with one of the edge tube receivers 66A & 66B.

The second alternate target structure 58 further includes a receiver assembly 70 that includes the target elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B that are coupled by a receiver assembly cross brace 72. It is understood that the front sheet 60 and the receiver assembly 70 may be placed in the deployed position of FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 directly upon the ground surface 52 and without an attachment of a single extension tube 68A-68D with either the front sheet 60 or the receiver assembly 70.

A pair of rotational pins 64A & 64B separately extend through the tubular element 64 and one of the elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B to couple each elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B with the tubular element 64 while allowing rotational motion along a plane that is normal to the target surface 60A. A pair of side linkages 74A & 74B further couple the elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B with the tubular element 64, wherein each side linkage 74A & 74B is adapted to limit the rotational freedom of the receiver assembly 70 with respect to the front plate 60.

According to an even additional optional aspect of the invented method, a pair of brackets 76A & 76B may be attached to the front sheet 60 to which the extension tubes 68A-68D may be detachably coupled for storage and transport. Alternatively or additionally, one or more extension tubes 68A-68D may be adapted to be slidably positioned within an elongate tube receiver 62A & 62B or an edge tube receiver 66A & 66B and stored in a seated position, and alternately deployed by sliding the instant extension tube 68A-68D substantively out from a tube receiver 62A, 62B, 66A & 66B for placement against the ground surface 52.

One or more elements 60-74 of the second alternate target structure 58 may comprise aluminum, steel, rigid plastic, and/or other suitable rigid materials known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the second alternate target structure 58. The target surface 60A of the front sheet 60 is fully exposed to accept magnetic adherence of the flexible game pieces 2 & 8. The parallel elongate tube receivers 62A & 62B are swung away from the front sheet 60 but are respectively constrained in range of rotation from the top plate 60 by a dedicated side linkage 74A & 74B, whereby the second target structure is stably positioned on the ground 52 for receiving the game pieces 2 & 8. The top plate 60 may comprise a magnetically active or attractive metal or other suitable magnetic, magnetically active or magnetically attractive known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 21, FIG. 21 is a top view of the second alternate target structure 60 in a deployed position, wherein the target surface 60A is shown to be positioned distal from the receiver assembly 70.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 22, FIG. 22 is a detailed side view of the first side linkage assembly 74A. A slotted arm 74A.1 forms a first slot S1 and extends from beyond a first slotted arm pin 74A.2 and beyond a first threaded slot pin 74A.2. The first slotted arm pin 74A.2 extends through the first slotted arm 74A.1 and rotatably couples the first slotted arm 74A.1 with the tubular element 64, whereby the first elongate tube receiver 62A is constrained to motion substantively parallel to a plane normal to the target surface 60A. The first threaded slot pin 74A.3 extends through both the first slot S1 and the first elongate tube receiver 62A and thereby limits mobility of the both the first slotted arm 74A.1 and the first elongate tube receiver 62A in relation to the target surface 60A. A first tapped cap 74A.4 is rotatably coupled with the first threaded slot pin 74A.3. The first tapped cap 74A.4 may be manually driven toward the first elongate tube receiver 62A and along the first threaded slot pin 74A.3. The tapped cap 74A.4 may, in combination with the first threaded slot pinhead 74A.5 as indicated in FIG. 20, be applied to compress the first elongate tube receiver 62A against the first slotted arm 74A.1 and thereby stabilize the orientation of the first elongate tube receiver 62A with the target surface 60A.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 23, FIG. 23 is a detailed side view of the second side linkage assembly 74B. A slotted arm 74B.1 forms a second slot S2 and extends from beyond a second slotted arm pin 74B.2 and through the second slotted arm 74B.1 and rotatably couples the second slotted arm 74B.1 with the tubular element 64, whereby the second elongate tube receiver 62A is constrained to motion substantively parallel to a plane normal to the target surface 60A. The second threaded slot pin 74B.3 extends through both the second slot S2 and the second elongate tube receiver 62A and thereby limits mobility of the both the second slotted arm 74B.1 and the second elongate tube receiver 62A in relation to the target surface 60A. A second tapped cap 74B.4 is rotatably coupled with the second threaded slot pin 74B.3. The second tapped cap 74B.4 may be manually driven toward the second elongate tube receiver 62A and along the second threaded slot pin 74B.3. The tapped cap 74B.4 may, in combination with the second threaded slot pinhead 74B.5 as indicated in FIG. 19, be applied to compress the second elongate tube receiver 62A against the second slotted arm 74B.1 and thereby stabilize the orientation of the second elongate tube receiver 62A with the target surface 60A.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the present invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the present invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible applications of the present invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the applications of the present invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described applications can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a plate having a magnetically engaging side, a back side and a lower edge; and a support arm, the support arm rotatably coupled with the plate back side at two points.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plate aperture formed within the plate and bordering the lower edge.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a linkage bar, the linkage bar coupled with the support arm rotatably coupled with the plate, and the linkage bar adapted to limit the rotational range of motion of the support arm.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm is U-shaped.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a linkage bar, the linkage bar coupled with the support arm rotatably coupled with the plate, and the linkage bar adapted to limit the rotational range of motion of the U-shaped support arm.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second linkage bar, the second linkage bar coupled with the support arm rotatably coupled with the plate, and the linkage bar adapted to limit the rotational range of motion of the U-shaped support arm.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arm coupling feature, the arm coupling feature adapted to removably maintain the support arm in a static connection with the lower edge.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic game piece, the magnetic game piece adapted for magnetic attachment to the plate magnetically engaging side.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a plate having a magnetically engaging side, a back side and a lower edge; a first elongate leg rotatably coupled with the back side of the plate; and a second elongate leg rotatably coupled with the back side of the plate.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plate extends beyond both elongate legs along a plate axis when both legs are positioned substantively parallel with the plate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a brace, the brace coupled to both elongate legs.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a first restraining assembly, the first restraining assembly coupled with both the plate and the first elongate leg, and the first restraining assembly limiting a rotational range of motion of the first elongate leg within a plane normal to the plate back side.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a brace, the brace coupled to both elongate legs.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second restraining assembly, the second restraining assembly coupled with both the plate and the second elongate leg, and the second restraining assembly limiting a rotational range of motion of the second elongate leg within a plane normal to the plate back side.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a brace, the brace coupled to both elongate legs.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a pair of extension tubes, each extension tube adapted for detachable coupling with either elongate leg.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a pair of extension tubes, each extension tube adapted for detachable coupling with either of a pair of tube receivers; and the plate comprising the pair of tube receivers, each tube receiver adapted to removably receive either extension tube in a coupled wherein each coupled extension tubes extends beyond the plate lower edge and away from the plate.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an additional pair of extension tubes, and wherein each extension tube adapted for detachable coupling with either elongate leg or either tube receiver.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, the plate further comprising a bracket assembly, the bracket assembly adapted to removably store the four extension tubes.
 20. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a magnetic game piece, the magnetic game piece adapted for magnetic attachment to the plate magnetically engaging side. 